Online Business Ideas

nellyshark

Hi,

This might sound a bit strange but does anyone have any ideas for an online business. I always amazed by the number of ebay and the likes businesses out there. Does anybody have a story or idea they would like to share.

What gets me is where these businesses source their stock etc?

Anyway I would be thinking of starting such a business and would like ideas to toy around with. One I always think could make money would be wholesale nappies and toilitrees (sp?) but wouldn't have a clue where to start.

philstar

well in all seriousness....how about the sex industry??.......a online sex shop for naughty toys and the like...i reckon there isn't many based in ireland, but there always be a market for it, it would save people the embarrasment of having to go into a shop.

i'd reckon you'd make a tidy sum.

highlydebased

Indeed.

There are a few ebay shops that sell condoms etc etc at lower than shop prices, judging by how much feedback they have received they must be making a good packet

nellyshark

Well I've always thought that a membership porn website could create a bit of extra revenue.

Although unlikely to do an online sex store, where do businesses get their stock for such?

rubadub

Has to be something specialist. I have had a fair few ideas, I have some specific hobbies and supplies can be limited.

You cannot compete in some instances, Chinese on ebay are making a living selling stuff at €2-5 a pop, cost of living is miniscule so if they sell 10 items a day it is more than working in say a supermarket in china.

it would save people the embarrasment of having to go into a shop.

big factor- also the country of origin will not arouse suscpicion. Could be anything, cream for piles, acne etc.

Exit

I had an idea once to buy some of the Oirishy stuff in Carroll's and sell it for a little profit to Americans on eBay. Don't know if it would work.

Just read the thread on here about Twinkies and got me thinking that maybe selling Irish foodstuff to ex-pats would work. You know, stuff like Tayto, Lyons Tea, etc. Or even British stuff to ex-pats. I lived in Canada for two years and the only places I could get stuff like Lucozade and certain Cadbury's bars were in specialized British stores. You might pay $2 for a chocolate bar and $10 for a litre of Lucozade, but when you miss something, you're willing to pay for it. Basically what I'm saying is that if I saw someone on eBay who could supply me with some of that stuff for a decent price, then I'd consider buying.

nellyshark

Exit wrote:

I had an idea once to buy some of the Oirishy stuff in Carroll's and sell it for a little profit to Americans on eBay. Don't know if it would work.

Just read the thread on here about Twinkies and got me thinking that maybe selling Irish foodstuff to ex-pats would work. You know, stuff like Tayto, Lyons Tea, etc. Or even British stuff to ex-pats. I lived in Canada for two years and the only places I could get stuff like Lucozade and certain Cadbury's bars were in specialized British stores. You might pay $2 for a chocolate bar and $10 for a litre of Lucozade, but when you miss something, you're willing to pay for it. Basically what I'm saying is that if I saw someone on eBay who could supply me with some of that stuff for a decent price, then I'd consider buying.

Thats really weird, I was just thinking along those kind of lines especially the teabags etc and hair gel. Does anyone know where I would stand legally if I went on eBay and the likes selling them kind of products, could I just walk into a wholesalers and just buy a palett and resell them at my ease or what? Probably not the right thread or anything but where would one stand regarding essentially "exporting" a box of teabags?

Cheers for all the info so far!

Exit

Yeah, that's what I was wondering too. Like, basically you're taking another companies produce and selling it yourself. Also the issue of importing/exporting foodstuff might be tricky.

maniac101

OP, I think you'll need to go for something higher-value than nappies. Your shipping costs would probably make you uncompetitive. Higher value items that are easily posted are a better bet. On the other hand, if you find a niche, (like designer nappies or eco friendly nappies) then you might be on to something. Go for something that you're interested in, I suppose.